This weekend constitutes a milestone for Dartmouth athletics. After 130 years and 1,132 games in daylight, the football team will play its first night game.
Just imagine if you were dating someone at Dartmouth and you never once saw her at night. If you were a senior like me, you would have gone for over three years before your first dinner date or goodnight kiss. Even though you would probably save hundreds of dollars, would you be satisfied with the incomplete experience?
Okay, bad analogy. But basically, this is a big freaking deal and as a Dartmouth football player, I'm honored to be a part of it. A night football game is an event that brings a lot of additional benefits to the Dartmouth community. Although many will be excited about the primo facetime opportunity, the most exciting perk of the night football game is the extended tailgating opportunity. The 6 p.m. kickoff gives excited Dartmouth football fans a solid six to 12 hours of quality day-drinking time. With this type of window, the game is sure to get rowdy. I've been to a few great tailgates in my day, so I've decided to write up a little guide so you can make the most of your day:
Step One: Respect the ratio
At a tailgate you only need to do two things: eat and drink. When shopping for your party, respect the ratio and buy at least two drinks for every item of food. Contrary to popular belief, plates and utensils are optional. You can eat a cheeseburger with one hand and you can hold a drink with the other. Although often the beverage of choice, alcohol is not a must at a tailgate any cold drink can suffice. It doesn't matter if you are a Keystone or a Coke fan, just make sure you eat and drink as much as humanly possible. You have the rest of the year to diet, so enjoy yourself.
Step Two: Play it loud and play it proud
Music is an absolute must at any tailgate. Tailgating without music is like playing dodgeball with lacrosse balls. Both are possible, I guess, but would you actually enjoy the experience? Set up a good playlist and then rock out with your friend, because almost any type of music can keep the party going. Just don't play any Bieber.
Step Three: Bleed Green
At Dartmouth, it's common knoledge that you wear red to Phi Delt's first and last party of the term. If you show up to that house wearing another color, you'll stand out more than Paris Hilton at a MENSA convention, which boasts the highest-IQ holders. The same rule applies to a tailgate. Wear your school colors with pride.
Step Four: Play all day
Tailgates are the perfect time to break out every lawn game you own. Although it goes by many different names, everyone who has been to a tailgate knows how to play "cornhole." For those of you with dirty minds, get them out of the gutter. Cornhole requires two boards with holes in the center and a few beanbags. Both teams alternate tossing the beanbag until one team reaches a predetermined score. This game is sweet, simple and extremely fun. Other games such as horseshoes, bocce and even pong are welcomed events at any tailgating event. If you're outside, enjoy the day.
Step Five: Get rowdy
As a fan, you are an active participant in any athletic contest. You need to practice your execution before the big event like any athlete would. Many schools use tailgates as a forum to practice the chants of the day. The creative types print out the other team's roster and spend the afternoon figuring out how many insults rhyme with the starting quarterback's last name. Get your friends together and get loud before the game. Nothing is more intimidating for an opposing team than a rowdy stadium filled with energetic fans. Stadium noise creates miscommunications and penalties by the opposing team, so warm up your vocal cords and get ready to scream your ass off for the Big Green.
Step Six: Game time
If you've followed the previous six steps, you're ready to enter the stadium. You have a good buzz going, your stomach is warm and full and you you're ready to watch a great night of football. Remember, you're part of history. Enjoy every moment of Saturday night.
